Kogi lawmakers’ peace parley ends in scuffle

There was free-for-all yesterday among some Kogi State House of Assembly members. One of them, Friday Makama, allegedly lost a tooth.

A source told The Nation that the brawl occurred during a meeting in Lokoja, the state capital, where the lawmakers were trying to resolve the leadership crisis rocking the Assembly.

The parley was said to have been at the instance of former Governor Ibrahim Idris. But it was reportedly deadlocked.

The source said the meeting held at ‘High Ground’, where the governor receives visitors.

At the parley were Governor Idris Wada and the lawmakers, except embattled Speaker Abdullahi Bello.

It was learnt that the meeting was a follow-up to an earlier mediation parley at Ibro Hotel, Abuja, last Monday.

The source added that the meeting, which was slated for 9pm, did not start until 12.20am.

Another source said trouble started when the agenda was perceived to have changed, which did not go down well with pro-Bello lawmakers.

The source said: “The meeting was meant to return the House to the status quo ante. But when it started, we suspected a foul play and we disagreed with their illegal proposition.”

It was learnt that the meeting proposed that “Majority Leader Yunusa Yakubu should write a letter of proclamation to Bello for endorsement and approval so that the House can reconvene formally”.

The source added: “Though that would have nullified the initial impeachment, but the grouse was that Bello was to resign honourably at the resumed sitting of the House. It was that suggestion that sparked the fight.

“Minority Leader Yori Afolabi stood up to note that the suggestion was wrong and that Kogi had been in the news for so many wrong reasons and there was every reason to first correct the wrongs before talking about Bello’s resignation.

“It was at that point that Makama, who had been pacing around, attempted to shut him up. That led to the fight.”

Makama, a notable member of the group of 12 lawmakers, allegedly lost a tooth before other lawmakers separated the warring lawmakers.

A highly placed member of the House, who spoke in confidence, said: “Nobody lost his tooth. But there was just a little scuffle between one of the legislators, Makama and Afolabi.”

Responding to a question he said: “I did not know what he said before the Minority Leader punched his mouth. Although I saw blood gushing out, but there was no tooth loss.”

On whether the fight was caused by the call on Bello to resign his position next week, after proclaiming the House, he said: “No. That aspect had already been concluded.

“The conclusion was that he would convene the House in line with the Constitution and preside so that the House would move forward.

“What it means is that all they have done is a nullity. He would be given his right to recall the House according to House rules and, of course, the resolution was that because of the sharp divisions and for House to move forward, he would resign his speakership and allow for the election of a new Speaker.

“How can the other Speaker continue? I told you that all they did was a nullity. Nobody knows who will be the next Speaker, until we get to the floor of the House. But the man will come and resign. That has been agreed upon.”